Hands On: Sonic Advance 2

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WORLD HOBBY FAIR: Sonic returns on GBA. First video inside.

By IGN Staff

Sales for Sonic Advance of over a million units last year and early this year confirmed that GBA owners have welcomed Sega's speedy blue hero with open arms. And now, Sega and Sonic Team are back with the all-new Sonic Advance 2.

Take the original, up the speed, and you seem to have Sonic Advance 2. At least, that's the impression we get having played the single level available for play at the World Hobby Fair this past weekend in Japan. In addition to the new speed, we did see some new forms of loops, including probably the largest loop that Sonic has ever found himself running through, and new tricks such as more complicated spring broads. Otherwise, this is the same tried and true Sonic gameplay you've loved for ages.

Visually, things are a bit more advanced than in the first, but you probably wouldn't be able to tell the games apart at first glance. Sonic is animated a bit better than he was in the previous edition, something we presume will be true for the rest of the characters (none of whom were accessible in the World Hobby Fair version. And, of course, the faster speed means the developers are pushing the GBA to new levels, as Sonic Team did with the Genesis years ago. The speed change isn't quite the jump as from Sonic 1 to Sonic 2, but it's something that you'll definitely be able to feel.

Oh my god it's a new Sonic game!

So it looks like if you wanted another Sonic title for your GBA, you've got your chance right here. Download the first video footage of Sonic Advance 2 below and look for more on the game when Sega provides it.

Hey, Sonic is back! Blending the role playing adventure elements popularized in the original SONIC ADVENTURE with the fast paced thrills and spills of the older SONIC titles, this chapter will have you skateboarding, sky surfing, avoiding runaway semi trucks, and much more. Collect rings to get points that can unlock secret levels, eventually earning a showdown with a brand new nemesis. Dr. Robotnik and Knuckles are along to cater to purists, and new characters spice up the story this time around.